"I would like to see her," said the old man, "but if I wait, I shall
arrive too late at the public square."
"You need not fear," replied Master John. "The executioner's car will not
leave the prison for an hour to come."
The peasant hesitated as to what he should do.
"Are you sure that the young lady will leave at once?"
"Immediately, Master Stephen. Mr. Van de Werve urges the departure--he
wishes to be out of the city before the executioner commences his work."
"Why," said the peasant, "did they wait until to-day? In their place I
would have gone long ago."
"Ah!" replied Master John, "here is another evidence of God's intervention
in these terrible affairs. The vessel which bears them to Italy has been
ready to sail for a week. During all that time the wind blew constantly
from the south-west; it changed to the east only last night, so that their
departure before was impossible. But the tide is high now and will
commence to ebb at the very hour fixed for the death of the assassin. You
see that God himself willed Mr. Van de Werve to remain here until his
vengeance was accomplished."
"Does she go to Italy to reside?"
"Oh, no; she only goes on a wedding trip. She will return in the course of
a year, when the impression of the perfidy and cruelty of Simon Turchi
will be less painful. Back, back, Master Stephen, they are coming!"
From the crowd arose a joyous shout. Each was anxious to approach Madame
Deodati. Those who did not know her desired to see the noble young woman
whose name was so painfully connected with the bloody history of Simon
Turchi, and who was esteemed a model of pure virtue, fervent piety, and
ideal beauty. The neighbors and those who had the honor of knowing her
collected in order to salute her, to bid her a respectful and cordial
adieu, and to wish her a happy voyage.
Mary Van de Werve, now Madame Geronimo Deodati, appeared at the door
accompanied by her husband. As soon as the people perceived her, loud and
long acclamations greeted her; they waved their caps, clapped their hands,
rent the air with their cries of joy, and strove to obtain a glance of the
angelic features of the beautiful lady and the noble countenance of her
husband, who had been so miraculously preserved, by the providence of God,
from the hands of his cruel enemy, Simon Turchi.